Regional Hub Growth & Operations Leader

Smollan; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Smollan is seeking a Regional Hub Manager to lead our regional operations across retail environments. You will drive sell-out performance, grow brand market share, manage field teams, and build high-value relationships with store owners and retail executives.

You will bridge operational excellence with strategic leadership, overseeing budgeting, audits, and data-driven insights to deliver client performance indicators and sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Drive Regional Sales: Break down sales targets per store, brand, and LSM into actionable increments for field teams.
• Optimize Product Performance: Analyze fast vs. slow-moving inventory to maximize forward share and stock turnover.
• Promotional Execution: Plan, negotiate, and execute targeted promotions, ad-hoc deal mechanics, and local trade initiatives.
• Stock & Space Management: Negotiate floor and shelf space based on rate-of-sale, identify cross-merchandising opportunities, and oversee returned or damaged goods workflows.
• Pricing & Market Health: Monitor in-store pricing integrity and quickly address anomalies with store owners and client stakeholders.
• Campaign Rollout: Facilitate regional promotional grids within agreed timelines and oversee POS material setup.
• Planogram Compliance: Ensure brand flow, planograms, category positioning, and overall shelf health adhere to client standards.
• Competitive Intelligence: Track competitor innovations, campaigns, and pricing strategies, providing actionable feedback to leadership.
• Data-Driven Strategy: Leverage handheld system data and retail mapping to analyze trends, resolve red-flag issues, and build corrective growth strategies.
• Auditing & Compliance: Conduct regular store audits and host weekly operational meetings to align field performance with quality standards.
• Reporting: Compile daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports for internal and client leadership.
• Relationship Management: Build strong, trust-based relationships with store managers, key account personnel, and client representatives.
• Strategic Communication: Facilitate regular review meetings and present updates on key metrics (ROS, promotions, stock levels, competitor activity).
• Financial Stewardship: Manage discretionary budgets to deliver optimal ROI, while auditing operational expenses (fuel, vehicle maintenance, cellular, and travel).
• Asset Integrity: Maintain an accurate monthly asset register and enforce company policies across all assigned tools and equipment.
• Governance: Ensure full scorecard compliance and manage administrative functions including leave, remuneration inputs, and expense reviews.
• Team Leadership: Build and guide high-performing, accountable field teams aligned with client objectives.
• Performance & Talent: Oversee end-to-end people management—recruitment, induction, regular performance appraisals, coaching, and succession planning.
• Field Execution: Establish structured call cycles, drive platform uploads (MCS/data capture), and facilitate product knowledge training.
• Culture & Inclusion: Drive a performance-focused culture, support Employment Equity initiatives, and conduct formal disciplinary procedures when required.
• Strategic & Critical Thinking: Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Leadership & Influence: Proven team leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• Operational Agility: Highly organized with strong planning, prioritization, and change-management skills under pressure.
• Results-Oriented: A track record of driving performance, quality excellence, and detail accuracy.
• Emotional Maturity & Resilience: High adaptability and stress tolerance in fast-paced retail environments.

Job description

Smollan is seeking a Regional Hub Manager to lead our regional operations across retail environments. You will drive sell-out performance, grow brand market share, manage field teams, and build high-value relationships with store owners and retail executives.

You will bridge operational excellence with strategic leadership, overseeing budgeting, audits, and data-driven insights to deliver client performance indicators and sustainable growth.